Watch Pipeline

Pipeline is a 2020 drama film directed by Johnathan Olshefski and written by Dominique Morisseau. The movie stars Namir Smallwood and Karen Pittman in the leading roles, and tells the story of Nya, an inner city high school teacher, who struggles to give her own teenage son, Omari, a better life while dealing with the harsh realities of the school system and the racial tensions that exist within and outside of her community.

The film is set in a public school located in the heart of urban America. Nya, played by Pittman, teaches English at the school and is a single mother who also has to take care of her aged father, played by Jaime Lincoln Smith. Throughout the movie, we see how Nya tries to strike a balance between her personal and professional life, while constantly striving to protect her son Omari, played by Smallwood, from the dangers lurking outside the school gates.

Omari is a gifted student, but he has been expelled from his previous school and is now attending a public school where he sticks out like a sore thumb. He feels like an outsider in his own skin and is often ostracized by his peers. His frustration and anger are palpable, and he feels like the system is rigged against him. He sees his mother as a sell-out for working within the system instead of fighting against it, and he resents her for it.

Tensions between Omari and Nya come to a head when he is caught up in a fight at school and is suspended. Omari's best friend, DeShawn, is expelled for the same incident. Nya realizes that her son is at a tipping point and decides to send him to a private school where he can get the education he needs. However, this decision sets off a chain of events that leads to a shocking conclusion.

Throughout the movie, we see the impact of institutional racism on the lives of the characters. We see how the school system is not equipped to deal with the needs of the students, and how black students are often seen as a problem that needs to be fixed. We see how stereotypes and prejudices about black people are entrenched in the fabric of society, and how they manifest themselves in the treatment of students of color.

What makes Pipeline a powerful movie is the way it tells the story of the characters with empathy and sensitivity. The film does not shy away from the difficult questions and does not provide easy answers. It shows how difficult it is to navigate a system that is rigged against you and how hard it is to make the right choices when the options are limited.

The performances by Pittman and Smallwood are outstanding, and they bring depth and nuance to their respective roles. Pittman's portrayal of a mother trying to do the best for her child is heart-wrenching, and Smallwood's depiction of a young man struggling with his identity and place in the world is powerful.

The movie is beautifully shot, and the urban landscape is captured in all its gritty glory. The sound design is exceptional and adds an extra layer of tension to the proceedings.

In conclusion, Pipeline is a must-watch movie for anyone who wants to understand the impact of institutional racism on the lives of people of color. It is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It is a movie that will make you question the system and the biases that exist within it. It is a movie that will make you feel angry, frustrated, and hopeful all at once.

Pipeline is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.